Chapter 1.
1. Introduction -
The rapid growth and development in industrial and technological
areas has created a growing need for trained manpower.
Increasingly it is expected of the universities
to supply the community in these needs. For this reason
the position of university dropouts must be regarded in a
serious light - the necessary potential is not being
utilized and furthermore the dropout rate is a burden
for both the country and the community.
2. Objectives -
The researcher has set the following overall objectives:
To determine:
a) Whether there are any significant differences between
the dropout and the successful student as regard,
aptitude, interest and personality.
b) Whether the dropout in the year course differs from
the dropout in the semester course.
c) What factors - as described in literature on this
subject - play an important part in the cessation
of studies.
d) The causes of such study cessation at the Potchefstroom
University for Christian Higher Education.
3. Hypotheses -
a) There are no significant differences between the
successful student and the dropout as regards aptitude,
personality and interest.
b) There are no meaningful psychological differences
between the dropout in the semester course and the
dropout in the year course.
Chapter 2: Survey of literature.
The phenomenon - as described in literature on this subject - is
reviewed in this chapter. In the definitions that have
been stated definite differences have been drawn between
the successful student, the unsuccessful student and the
dropout.
Furthermore the extent of the dropouts in certain overseas
countries and the Republic of South Africa has been reviewed
but specifically also as relating to the Potchefstroom
University for Christian Higher Education.
Attention has also been given to the relationship between '.
sexes, faculty, residence and study cessation. The pattern
during the year of such cessation as well as its reasons
are also discussed.
The following factors which may be relevant to such cessation
of studies have been identified:
a) Psychological factors such as social withdrawal, stress,
lack of self-confidence, identity-crises and problems on
an interpersonal level.
b) Family background.
c) Socio-economical factors.
d) Social pressures.
e) Aptitude.
f) Interest.
g) Motivation'.
h) Academic accomplishments.
i) Religion.
Chapter 3: Method of investigation.
At the inception of their studies first-year students undergo
psychometric testing. The results of the psychometric
testing of 1980, 1981 and 1982 have been used in this investigation.
Certain criteria for success have been set and the
successful students identified accordingly. Of this
group a random sample has been drawn. The dropouts were
seen as a universal group.
The aptitude, interest and personality scores of the
successful students have then been compared with those
of the dropouts using certain statistical methods.
The aptitude, interest and personality scores of the dropout
in the semester course have been compared with those of the
dropouts in the year course, but only by comparing their
average scores. One standard deviation is regarded as a
significant psychological difference. No further statistical
methods were used in this part of the research.
Chapter 4: Discussion of results.
1. Certain tendencies relevant to the dropout's aptitude,
interest and personality have been identified. The various
faculties however, indicate differing tendencies.
2. It would appear as if there is no material difference
between the dropout in the year course and those in the
semester course.
Chapter 5: Conclusion.
From the investigation indications are that although in the
different faculties certain tendencies are found relevant
to cessation of studies, individual differences cannot be
disregarded. To attempt to identify dropouts purely on
ground of psychological tests without considering predisposing
factors would be Unrealistic.
Cessation of studies as a psychological problem can be
reduced but never entirely eliminated. / Skripsie (MA)-- PU vir CHO, 1984
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:nwu/oai:dspace.nwu.ac.za:10394/10975 |
| Date | January 1984 |
| Creators | Klopper, Esmé |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | other |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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